Fuel cells: an electric utility perspective

Fuel cell industry has been subject to a combination of limited investment capital, spiraling cost, uncertainty regarding deregulation, and generally depressed energy markets, all making the cost of power from fuel cells prohibitive. A fully mature fuel cell industry could improve the technical and financial performance of existing lines of business by improving service quality, asset utilization, reliability and security. Electric utilities play a vital role in commercialization process by defining device attributes and realistic power system operating conditions, providing demonstration sites for early product evaluation, serving as early adopters of commercial fuel cell products.